TenCate Protective Fabrics recently announced a training partnership with Georgia Quick Start and West Georgia Technical College. TenCate Protective Fabrics USA is headquartered in Union City, has four manufacturing facilities and more than 500 employees in Georgia.

Georgia Quick Start, the state's No. 1-ranked workforce training program, will be providing customized training for TenCate to support a $5 million investment in new technology. 

In addition to representatives from the technical college and Quick Start, attendees at the event included State Senator Matt Brass, of District 28, and State Representative Josh Bonner, of District 72.

"We've had great success working with Quick Start the past few months," said James Floyd, Plant Manager of TenCate, "and we're looking forward to their expert training support for this new expansion." 

The Netherlands-based company is investing in new carding and air-jet spinning machines that will produce their high-quality products that include protective materials supplied to the military, firefighters and commercial industries. Quick Start training is scheduled to begin in November 2017. 

"We're always proud to support growing industries in Georgia," said Jackie Rohosky, Technical College System of Georgia assistant commissioner for economic development programs and head of Quick Start. "But it's a humbling honor when we know we're assisting in the production of materials that help save the lives of the men and women of our armed services and first-responders." 

The training program involves three distinct partners: TenCate Protective Fabrics, West Georgia Technical College and Georgia Quick Start. Each partner will be responsible for the successful completion of the program. Quick Start will deliver training during the expansion, and West Georgia Technical College will be TenCate's long-term partner available for ongoing training and providing a pipeline of qualified graduates to meet future workforce needs.   

“We’re always excited to begin a new partnership with an industry that wants to help develop a workforce in Georgia,” said West Georgia Technical College President Steve G. Daniel. “This will be a great collaboration with TenCate because they understand the value of a well-trained, qualified workforce. So this is a win-win for everyone, and it’s an added bonus to be working with a company with the noble mission of protecting the men and women who serve our communities and our country at home as well as abroad.”

The Coweta County Development Authority and the Georgia Department of Economic Development worked with West Georgia Technical College and Georgia Quick Start to qualify TenCate for the training support as their operations are upgraded. 

“We appreciate the support from the state, West Georgia Technical College and Quick Start,” Floyd said. “We look forward to beginning the training.”